So, it’s been a while since you started learning a foreign language and the time has come to practice your skills in the ‘real’ world with other speakers of the language.
“What if I get the grammar wrong? What if the pronunciation is completely off? Or I use the wrong word and get mocked?”
Have you started thinking along the lines above? Has the fear or anxiety kicked in yet?
Well, let’s stop you right there! Take a deep breath. You have no reason to get nervous. Practicing your foreign language skills is actually far easier than you may think.
This Halloween, trick your fear into becoming your strength. We’ve got 7 amazing tips to help you get on the track to becoming a fluent foreign language speaker.
1. One Step at a Time
There’s no need for you to kick-start your practice with a full blown conversation about France’s popular tourist spots or Egypt’s rich history. Relax and start simple. Use the greetings you’ve learnt as often as you can, place an order in the foreign language or change your social media language settings to brush up on your reading. This will help you acquaint yourself with the language with just a little effort.
Start interacting with others bit by bit. Don’t use your mother tongue or English to communicate with your French friends, and instead converse in the language you’re learning. Friends are there to help!
If you’ve been learning online or through self-study, find a language exchange buddy! You both can offer expertise and support on your native language as you perfect your fluency in the foreign language. And with social media, there are umpteen numbers of ways to do so. It’s pretty much a win-win situation for you both minus the anxiety and fear!
2. Nobody is Perfect
Don’t fret too much about getting it right the first time. We know that it’s easier said than done but it’s truly possible. The entire point of practicing your foreign language skills is to make mistakes and learn from them!
Don’t be embarrassed if you get the pronunciation wrong or mix up a few words, you’re not the first one to do so and you definitely won’t be the last. Instead, take it all as a learning experience. You’ll be surprised at how supportive other speakers are, especially since they either are or were in the same boat as you at some point.
3. Buddy Up!
If you have a friend who’s a native speaker of the language then interact with them in their language as much as possible. They’re bound to support you and appreciate your efforts. Moreover, they’ll correct your mistakes and help you improve. What more can you ask for? A friend in need is definitely a friend indeed.
4. Watch Movies!
Switch your academic knowledge of the foreign language to daily use by watching movies in the foreign language. Not only will this help you learn the correct pronunciation and nuances of the language but also introduce you to a world of beautiful and exquisite cinema.
Did you know that Italian movies have won the most number of Oscars in the ‘Best Foreign Film’ category, i.e. 14 awards? Time to binge-watch and learn!
5. The Power of the Pocket Dictionary (or the App on your smartphone)
Many undermine the potential of a simple pocket dictionary or, in today’s tech savvy world, a convenient dictionary app. On the phone or on person, a dictionary can be extremely useful. You can look up definitions you aren’t sure of, search a word for quick translation or improvise a situation accordingly with this very handy tool. Make sure you get one and your foreign language brain will thank you.
6. Slow and Steady Wins the Race
One-on-one conversations are far less daunting than a group interaction any day. Begin your practice with one person at a time to get used to transforming your foreign language knowledge into successful communication. Also, go slow initially. Work your way to a fast paced conversation in time. The other person will get the hint and maintain the pace of the conversation to make it easier for you.
7. Embrace Your Inner Child
This one is probably the easiest trick in the bag: wherever you are, say out loud the things you see in the foreign language you’re learning.
What’s the objective? Well, your foreign language memory improves significantly and you gain familiarity of the language by pronouncing everything aloud. It’s literally that simple!
This Halloween, keep the language ghosts and ghouls at bay, with our tricks to treat you and help you on your way.
Andrie Steliou
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